Image courtesy: Audi

While Audi is consciously investing in new models and technologies, as well as in the expansion of its worldwide production network, CFO Axel Strotbek also sees potential for continual cost improvements: "With the current investment program, we obviously want to enhance the brand's strong position, but at the same time, we aim to achieve additional financial scope by means of further process and cost optimization."

According to Strotbek, the company will not save at the expense of its future, but every investment will be carefully examined. The Board of Management has therefore decided to postpone the construction of a new wind tunnel for one year.

Audi continues to accelerate in the area of digitalization. In early December, the company acquired a one-third interest in HERE, thus safeguarding the cooperation with a leading provider of digital maps and location-based services. Audi's share of the purchase price amounts to € 0.85 billion. In order to maintain its "Vorsprung durch Technik" also in the future, the company will strengthen its workforce as it progresses along its growth path in 2016.

Thomas Sigi, Board of Management Member for Human Resources at AUDI AG, stated: "We are looking for experts in areas important for the future." Demand is particularly strong for specialists in alternative drive systems and lightweight construction, but also for IT specialists, who will further develop the fields of Audi connect, Audi mobility and smart factory in the context of digitalization.
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